A huge three-year contributor at Iowa, Anthony Nelson is as physically imposing height-wise as any pass-rushing prospect at 6-foot-7. He improved his sack and tackle numbers each year at Iowa while getting between 600-700 snaps. Won Academic All-Big Ten and All-Big Ten honorable mention honors.

Tallied 23 sacks, four forced fumbles and seven passes defended in his three-year career. Between his height, wingspan and vertical, could be a batted-passes machine in the NFL. Tested great in every area but strength, showing he’s not slowed by his massive frame. Certainly not the traditional edge-rusher mold but has the production and measurables to back it up.

“Anthony Nelson has impressive tape and eye-popping physical traits, but his athletic limitations are evident enough as a pass rusher that you wonder where the full-time fit is for him in the NFL. Despite his lack of explosiveness (very average first step) and bend (tight in the hips), Nelson still manages to corner at an impressive rate against college competition due to a wonderful bevy of rush moves off the edge.” – Jon Ledyard, The Draft Network

“Promising 4-3 defensive end prospect with outstanding length, good quickness and a play motor that keeps humming from snap to snap. Nelson needs to add play strength and learn to leverage his length to unlock his intriguing potential as a pass rusher. Teams could be tempted to play him inside in odd fronts, but he might not have the strength or physicality to handle that early on. His areas of concern are mostly correctable for a traits-based prospect with the potential for rapid improvement as a future starter.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Sam Ekstrom is a Zone Coverage staff writer and podcaster in his sixth year covering the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team. After moving to the Twin Cities in 2014, Sam started working as a radio engineer, producer and host for "Sports Radio 105 The Ticket," where Zone Coverage was first formed. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.